Tip of the Day! Arrays and Dummy Variables Relationship

[fp at casabellagallery.com]

This tip will cover several things as they are basically one 
in the same or very closely related.

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(1) Did you know that you can clear all dummy variables
using arrays?  Well try this:  

then: dim dummy(702):a; clear dummy.

Of course, you can do same with any sequential variable range.
Notice that no edit definition was given; by doing so, you can
still define your dummy variables individually without conflict 
of interest.

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(2) Did you know that you can define an array, associated to a
number of dummy variables and give each variable a unique edit?
Well, try this:

if:   '             aa        ab      ac        ad
then: dim array( (10,mdyy/)(2,state)(10,zip)(14,phone) ):aa

You can even go multiple lines in your processing table like so:

if:   '             aa        ab      ac        ad
then: dim array( (10,mdyy/)(2,state)(10,zip)(14,phone)
if:   ' ae    af     ag      ah      ai
then: (15,*)(25,*)(1,allup)(12,,2)(15,allow) ):aa

You are not limited to two lines ... I do not even know the limit
if any but I know I have used several lines without problems.

-------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Did you know that if you defined an array of 

then: dim dummy(702):a

in your automatic process and did same in all of your processes,
all variables are global but the edits are not?  Well, you should
give it a try (you many not need to define the array in all processes
but I think it is a good idea in the even you need to handle the
array).

Note that this has its UP and DOWN side.  It is great for called
processes that will use variable in similar format but could be
trouble if the format changes unexpectedly (I guess this will be
true no matter what you use).  Another DOWN is that 'every' dummy
variable is, well, GLOBAL.



Hope you find these interesting!

Regards,


---
Jose Lerebours
954  559  7186
http://www.fpgroups.com